Tottenham are looking to buy Ben Johnson from West Ham in the summer, according to Football Transfers.
On March 18, the outlet reported on its website that the “versatile full-back” had “attracted the attention of the recruitment department” at Spurs, where Ange Postecoglou was looking to sign cover for Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro.
And, with the 24-year-old’s future at the London Stadium uncertain after rejecting down two contract offers before his current agreement expires in the summer, he has been nominated by his cousin, Tottenham ambassador and former England player Ledley King.
West Ham have reportedly offered Johnson a four-year contract extension, but negotiations have subsequently reached a “impasse”.
Given his experience with the North London club and his relationship with the defender, it is not surprising that King would recommend Johnson to Spurs.
David Moyes offered him a few starts in January and February, which could have helped pave the way for a contract extension.
However, given that the manager has dropped him back to the bench following Arsenal’s 6-0 thumping on February 11, it is increasingly doubtful that a new contract will be reached, if it hasn’t already.
At his age, he is going to seek more playing time, so an exit is not surprising if he doesn’t get it in Stratford, but if he signs there, he will very certainly find himself in the same scenario as Postecoglou did.
On a free transfer and with the ability to play anywhere across the back line as well as fill in as a winger in an emergency, he should be an appealing signing at the end of the season if he leaves, and having been courted by Leeds United in January, that type of move may provide him with a better opportunity.
However, if he trades the West Ham bench for the Spurs bench, another homegrown player will go, resulting in a loss for the Irons.
In other West Ham news, a London club has issued an apology to Karren Brady following a recent claim.
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